Three takeaways from Green Bay Packers' victory over Chicago Bears
What did we learn from the Green Bay Packers’ 30-27 victory over the Chicago Bears?
Make that four wins on the bounce since Aaron Rodgers famously claimed the Packers could run the table. Should they make good on his promise, you’ll be looking at the NFC North champions.
Following the Detroit Lions’ loss to the New York Giants, two more wins would seal an unlikely division title for the once 4-6 Packers. One of those victories would be at Detroit in Week 17.
Should the Lions lose again to the NFC-leading Cowboys next week, the Packers would enter the season finale in first place with victory over the Vikings on Christmas Eve. Four weeks ago the Packers were considered candidates for a top-10 draft pick. Now people are talking Super Bowl.
Getting hot at the right time is a recipe for postseason success. Without a truly dominant team in the NFC this year (yes, that includes the 12-2 Cowboys), why can’t these Packers go all the way?
Maybe that’s getting a little far ahead of ourselves. Let’s look back at Sunday’s late victory at Chicago. What did we learn from the game?
Dec 18, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Ty Montgomery (88) runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Green Bay won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Montgomery, Michael pack a 1-2 punch
Wow.
That might be the only word capable of describing Ty Montgomery’s performance at Chicago. James Starks sat out with a concussion, and it’s fair to assume he’s lost his spot in the Green Bay backfield.
Montgomery continues to prove he’s no fluke, nor a gimmick when used in the backfield. The former third-round pick is the best running back on the roster, and he shows why on a weekly basis.
Montgomery averaged an incredible 10.1 yards from his 16 carries, finding the end zone twice. Continuing to disprove concerns over his durability, he took on the role as the lead back.
Christine Michael offered a perfect change-of-pace. The explosive back was used on just four carries, but he added an impressive 42-yard touchdown to send the Packers on their way.
Green Bay incredibly gained more yards on the ground (226) than through the air (225). Montgomery and Michael provided plenty of heat on a frozen day in Chicago. Running the ball successfully was always going to be key with Aaron Rodgers’ lack of mobility, but nobody expected quite the dominance we witnessed.
Dec 18, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews (52) looks on prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Missing: Clay Matthews
Clay Matthews clearly isn’t at 100 percent with a shoulder injury, again making minimal impact on the field.
He finished the game without a single tackle, offering very little for Dom Capers’ defense. Why he’s even out there at this point is a head scratcher. I get it. If he can go, he will. But the Packers aren’t getting production from their best pass rusher.
It’s evident the shoulder issue is limiting Matthews on game day, so why put him on the field while he’s struggling? It’s unlikely, however, that Matthews will return to full health before the season ends.
“I’ve said in weeks prior, I did a number to it, there’s some damage in there,” Matthews said prior to Sunday’s game with Chicago. “It’ll continue to get stronger and better, but unfortunately until the offseason, it’s not getting 100 percent healthy. I’ll continue, I think, to progress health-wise, strength, range of motion, everything, and hopefully that correlates to more playing time.”
There was no signs of progression in Sunday’s win. Whether Matthews can get closer to his normal self this year remains to be seen, but for now the Packers will need to find playmakers elsewhere on defense.
Dec 18, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) reacts after a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Aaron Rodgers saves his best for last
It may go down as Aaron Rodgers’ best touchdown-less performance.
Playing in frigid conditions with an ailing hamstring and calf, Rodgers fought on and carved open a talented Chicago defense. To the surprise of nobody, Rodgers leaned on Jordy Nelson for much of the game, with the two connecting for what was essentially a game-winning pass.
With the score tied at 27-27 and just 37 ticks remaining in the fourth quarter, Rodgers created some magic with his favorite target, a vintage 60-yard reception to set up a walk-off Mason Crosby field goal.
“Kind of a flashback to 2013,” guard Lane Taylor said postgame. Taylor is of course referring to the 48-yard, division-winning touchdown between Rodgers and Randall Cobb at the same venue three years ago.
Maybe not as dramatic, but equally as important. Who knows how the game would have unfolded had Nelson not hauled in the deep shot. All of the momentum was with Chicago, who had wiped out Green Bay’s 17-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Nelson’s return to health helped fuel Green Bay’s impressive run, but this moment may be the finest of an already impressive season.
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